When there's an Oni who came to meet Shun, usually there will be only three types. First, the one who wants to challenge or eat her. Second, the one who just curious, and last but not the least, the one who seeks for advice.
The moment Shun born into this world, she already knows about her previous life. But when she's 3, it was as if the gods enlightened her as the Holy Priest of those which born from darkness—or people usually called them as Youkai.
Amagiri is one of the Oni that came for the third option.
After listening a little bit of his worries and problem, Shun then remembered that all of this might lead her to the main story just like in the game.
She do realize that Amagiri is that Amagiri Kyuujyu, the strong Oni who serves Kazama Chikage. If everything has the same background story and main problem, then...
" Perhaps this is the first lead to to the main story? But, if I do it right, I can make Chizuru Yukimura be Kazama's bride. That way, I can get into Hijikata's route. "
Immersed within her own thoughts, Shun let her customer went into silence together with her.
The more Shun think about this, the more of her morale feeling twisted in a way she cant explain how unpleasant it feels.
She doesn't want to play god, she's certainly doesn't want to ask a person's heart to change, just because she asked them to.
" The fact that Amagiri is here asking my advice, that means the story will have a chance of not walking the same path as in the game... Haha, isn't this the same as toying with people's feeling? What am I even— "
" Holiness? Are you alright? Forgive me for bothering you, I just thought maybe you're cold and wanted to say that it's alright if we meet again in a warm day sometime later. "
" Oh no... Thank your for your concern, true tonight is really cold. But you came alone from far away to seek for my advice, how could I be bothered with it? I was just too immersed in my thoughts, sorry. "
She smiled meekly, realizing that all she gotta do right now is to give her best advice to Amagiri.
" I've found a way, however this advice might seem to be more of like a gamble than a solution. Will you hear it? "
" As long as it has the answer of my question, then I will gladly take any words from you. "
"... You... and your master... should accept Satsuma's clan favor. Keep following them, and you will find a young woman among the wolves that should help your master problem. "
" ... A young woman... "
" A young woman of pure-blood Oni. "
The moment Shun revealed Chizuru's yet to be known identity, Amagiri's expression began to lightened up in hope.
" I see! A woman of pure-blood Oni has surely become rare. If that young woman and my master to be wed, then— "
" Careful, Amagiri. That woman is like a flower in the middle of lake of thorns guarded by wolves. Even after you defeated all those obstacle, only herself that should judge your worth to stand by her side. "
"... A flower of high quality indeed. I'm grateful for your insight, my holiness. I will now go carry your words to my master and pray for our best future. "
Amagiri then bowed to her with deep respect and look at Shun's small figure which practically shined by her glowing crimson hair.
" I pray for you as well, Amagiri Kyuujyu. You're Oni from the western side, right? Careful on your way back and you can come visit me sometimes. "
Every Youkai on this land knows about the birth of their holy priest. But only those who has talked with her that know about their gentle and deep care. Amagiri is truly feeling lucky to get to know the priest in person.
" I will, my holiness. Good night. "
.
.
.
It has been months after that night's event. The days of Shun's approach to Hijikata are also increasingly becoming subtle. She often asks her mother for free time just to go greet Hijikata. Of course, the mother will always remind Shun not to bother him, but over time she treats this habit of Shun as if Shun was playing with her friend. Because Shun is an only child, her mother sometimes feels worried whether Shun is feeling lonely or not. But Shun now had found her own friend, although Hijikata is of a different age, but lat least Shun's mother can be relieved how she has a friend now.
" Good evening, Hijikata-San! "
The girl greeted as she peeked into the store.
There she meets her prince had just arrived from selling the medicine as a peddler.
" Oh hello, Shun. You need something? "
He greeted whilst taking off his shoes on the floor.
" Umm... For today, I guess no. "
" Hee... So you're just going to play around as usual, eh? "
Teased Hijikata smiling playfully as always whenever he's around kids.
" Is it not alright? "
" Let's see... if you help me restock the medicine in my wooden box, then I'll let you stay here. "
" Hmm... let's see, if you promise to be my bride when I'm 20, then I'll help you with anything. "
She teased him back, but of course, only her little heart knows that it's true.
" Hahaha, you never give up, don't you, Shun? And by the way, make sure to say it as your groom. "
But instead, lately she always get the same result. Well, it's no wonder for him to think like that when the one proposing him is a kid like her and with so much ease.
" Proposing him like that was never easy, I've always trembling under my haori. Only he didn't know... "
She sadly thought as if letting out a sigh.
" Okay okay, I'll help you out, Hijikata-San. Unconditionally. "
Just like what she promised, she then help him with restocking the medicine in his wooden box as he told her what he need. Even without remembering the game, Shun actually noticed how Hijikata giving a dissatisfaction or empty expression lately whenever he's done from selling the medicine.
Hijikata is supposed to meet Kondou soon, and that's when Kondou somehow invite Hijikata to do something bigger for the world.
" Soon... Hijikata-San will be away from this town for... a long time. Will I meet him again? No... will I even get the chance of it? "
Worries become obvious with how she knitted her eyebrow like that. Though she still works just fine, her expression couldn't hide very well from Hijikata.
" Alright, that's all. Thank you for the help, Shun. "
He's finally done with restocking his wooden box full with medicines.
" Oh... that was fast... "
Shun mumbled, somewhat feel reluctant to just let their moment ends.
As if reading her heart, Hijikata asked the kid to wait for him while he put the wooden box inside the house. She wasn't sure what he wanted to do and her mind wasn't exactly ready to process it as well, so she's really surprised right now when Hijikata said he will walked her to her house.
" E-eh? Come again? "
" Hurry, we don't want to hike the mountain in the dark, do we? "
" .... Yes.... "